‘Massive blow’ as four libraries to close
FOUR libraries in Gwynedd are set to be shut as part of a major shake-up of the service.
Gwynedd Council’s cabinet has approved plans to close libraries in Harlech, Penrhyndeudraeth, Llanberis and Deiniolen in a move which will save the authority almost £170,000.
Meanwhile, buildings in Bethesda, Penygroes, Nefyn and Criccieth have escaped the axe but will become “community” led libraries to cut costs. The council also says it will consider changing the opening hours of another nine libraries across the county as part of the shake-up.
These are facilities in Bangor, Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Pwllheli, Dolgellau, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Tywyn, Barmouth and Bala.
The proposals were approved at a meeting of the council’s cabinet in Caernarfon last week.
It is understood that the proposals will save just over £100,000 - after the authority also decided to spend £65,000 less than it usually does on new books in March.
Deiniolen councillor Elfed Williams described the news as a “massive blow” for the community.
Cllr Williams said: “I’m really disappointed as the community have made so much effort to oppose these plans with petitions and letters.
“We’ve had several meetings with council officials and the community council. “I’m really sad to be honest. “It’s a massive blow to the community of Deiniolen which has already lost a lot of other services.”
But councillor Ioan Thomas, Cabinet Member for Gwynedd Council with responsibility for Libraries, said the proposals would provide a “modern and sustainable” library service for the county for the coming years.
He added: “We appreciate that any change to a service which is so close to many people’s hearts, and that hasn’t encountered change for many years, is challenging.
“But having listened carefully to what local people had to say during the public consultations, I believe that what is now being put forward is the best model possible in order to provide a modern and sustainable library service for Gwynedd for the coming years.
“A combination of the changing needs and expectations of residents, the growing popularity of digital and online material and the Welsh Government expectations that councils modernise their provision within a period of drastic cuts in the funding available to services, means that introducing change is inevitable.”
The changes will begin to be implemented from October this year with all changes in place during next year.